All Car Servicing

All Car Servicing

Hi I would like to introduce myself. Working in the Garage and tyre and all Car Servicing business now for 40 years. So. worked for a couple of national tyre companies before starting my first business. Of course, I now own a company here in the UK called Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre. Blogging about anything to do with Car Servicing and their related products. Naturally, that will help my business. We are members of Point-S and MotorCodes and are also a Unipart Car Care Centre.

Deadly Car Brake Pads

Deadly Car Brake Pads-Could Brake Pad dust be poisoning our rivers and lakes?

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Deadly Car Brake Pads

Deadly Car Brake Pads

Worn out brake discs and pads causing dangerous dust ?

So, as a garage owner I often wonder what will be coming next ! We are constantly being told that we are all breathing in too many particles of this and that ! On the other hand, the (so called experts) are telling us that we are going to live to 100 years old.

It is not that long ago that you were lucky to get to 65. I can remember when I was a kid how dirty the river Calder was, in my local town. One thing is for sure, there were NO fish living in it. Now in 2016, we not only have a large population of fish but also many species of birds that we would never dream of seeing in the dirty river.

We too are breathing in much better air quality than when I was a kid. Then I suppose came the car. The car has undergone major surgery, since I first started to work on cars, in days gone by. I suppose if the truth is known, then much of the air pollution, is to do with car emissions.

We then had a savior? The diesel engine car.

We were told that the new type of diesel engine cars was going to be the answer. Millions of drivers switched to diesel engines. Then came the asbestos scare. If we touched the stuff, then our hands would drop off. If we breathed the dust in then we would be afflicted with cancer.

Deadly Car Brake Pads

Copper-less Car Brake Pads

All the brake companies had to put their thinking caps on and come up with an asbestos free brake solution. The dust that came from the wearing out brakes was carcinogenic. Of course this is A substance or agent that can cause cells to become cancerous.

Consequently, by altering their genetic structure. So that they multiply continuously and become malignant. Asbestos dust from brake pad dust could be full of carcinogens. Unfortunately, a million mechanics including myself have been breathing this stuff in for years.

Subsequently, a new type of brake pad and linings had to be  invented ! So using asbestos-free materials. Of course , we thought that this would be the end of it ? But no !

In California USA, they noticed that the fish that they caught were too saturated with copper that they were unfit to eat. The fish in the Bay area were not fit for human consumption. For years, they could not find a solution to the whereabouts of the pollution.

The problem was spotted by motor mechanics. Who had heard about this and reported that they could see small particles. Including particles of copper coming out of the brake pads as they wore away.

Deadly Car Brake Pads, have certainly had their problems.

Throughout the history of the automobile, and it has caused yet another environmental problem. It is a fact

that every time we break, tiny particles of dust come away from the Deadly Car Brake Pads. This is magnified a million times. Because of the number of cars on the road.

This has resulted in the passing of new laws to stop brake pad manufacturers from adding copper to their otherwise secret brake pad ingredients. I wonder if this affects other parts of the world. The brake pads must have been made for the whole of America and not just California?

Eric Roberts

Deadly Car Brake Pads

http://www.sightline.org/2010/02/11/tapping-the-brakes-on-copper-brake-pads/

http://www.copper.org/environment/impact/copper-brake.html

Toyota Yaris Soft brakes-A look at a soft brake problem on a Customer’s Yaris

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Toyota Yaris Soft brakes

Toyota Yaris Soft brakes

There is no doubt that the Toyota Yaris has become a very popular little car. Furthermore, it is one of the most popular models that we have in at Pellon Autocentre, here in Halifax UK.As a result, we have become very familiar with carrying out brake repairs and general servicing.
Sometimes, these little cars can cause us problems? Hence, one of our male customers had bought a ten year old Yaris as a little run around for his daughter. Consequently, his daughter was at college here in Halifax.

Toyota Yaris Soft brakes
We received a phone call from Robin first thing on a monday morning. In summary, he said that his daughter was not happy with the brakes? Indeed she thought that the brake pedal was soft. Thus the brakes had to be pressed very hard before the car would stop.
Robin, left the car with us. Consequently, we checked the obvious things such as leaking brake fluid from the brake pipes and cylinders. Subsequently, nothing was found. Therefore ,we removed all the wheels for a visual inspection.

This was the normal procedure.
Brakes are very important. So whatever the problem we must carry out the brake inspection,thoroughly. Firstly, we noticed a slight leak of brake fluid from one of the rear cylinders. Furthermore, the rear shoes were very low and slightly contaminated with brake fluid.

Toyota Yaris Soft brakes

Of course, we always list the faults we find on a job. In order that we can price the total job and present it to the customer for permission. Hence , to carry out the necessary work to bring the car up the the correct standard.
Furthermore the brake fluid was very black and dirty. In fact, the fluid level in the master cylinder had been totally neglected. For this reason we also added a master cylinder to our list and a complete brake bleed.
To explain what work would be required, we contacted Robin with a quote. Consequently, we were given permission to carry out the brake work. later that day, the brakes were repaired and the pedal became more acceptable.
Robin collected the Yaris and later thanked us for our efficient work, saying”that his daughter was much more confident with the Yaris’s brakes” and felt much safer.

Eric Roberts

Deadly Car Brake Pads

Probably Brake Problems-My Car Squeals & Squeaks When I Drive | AAMCO Colorado

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Probably Brake Problems

Probably Brake Problems

Probably Brake Problems

Of course many of our customers complain about noisy brakes. So, the first thing we do at Pellon Autocentre. Is to remove all the wheels for close inspection. Significantly, if the brakes have not been serviced recently we inspect each set of brakes. Hence, to look for any problems with the wear of the pads or shoes. We then check the other parts.Naturally, for incorrect fitting or for any damage that may have taken place. Sometimes the customer has had cheap ones fitted.Thus, causing dust to clog up the pads and become noisy or squeaky.

If nothing visible can be found, we would install new pads, only using the pads that are recommended for that model of car and the highest quality. Indeed because of the Squeaking Brakes Pads problem in the first instance we would use the original equipment pads from the main dealers. We at Pellon are a Unipart Service Centre and so use Unipart brake parts, and although these parts are of the highest quality, there are occasions then it is necessary to use the original equipment parts for excellent customer service this usually solves the problem especially for problem pads such as premature wear or indeed Squeaking brakes.

Learn why your car is squealing and making noise. There are a lot of possible causes of car squealing. AAMCO Colorado mechanics can diagnose and fix them.

Source: My Car Squeals & Squeaks When I Drive | AAMCO Colorado

Nissan Figaro Cars-Getting More Popular-Only 20,000 made

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Nissan Figaro Cars

Nissan Figaro Cars;All imported cars from Japan

We all must have all seen these tidy little mainly green cars. Hence, driving around our roads in the last year or two. At first, I thought they were some sort of old Renault’s.Accordingly, I found out what they were. When I called into a garage that buy tyres from. Thus, in Oxenhope West Yorkshire UK.

The car was in for an MOT Test and was on their ramp awaiting inspection. I was really pleased that I could now discover what the vehicle was. Hence, it was a Nissan Figaro. This car was first introduced in Japan at the 1989 Tokyo motor show. As a result, was based on the Nissan Micra. The car only came out in four colours, Topaz Mist, Pale Aqua, Lapis Grey and Emerald Green. To date, I have only seen the Emerald Green cars here in Yorkshire.

At first, the car came under a special project name as “back to the future” at a special place is known as the Pike factory and at first, only 2000 were produced in Topaz Mist and these cars were extremely rare. The final production reached about 20,000 cars which by today’s standards is a very small amount of cars indeed. At first, the cars were entered in a kind of lottery and the winners were able to buy one, sounds like a good idea to me, wish I could do that with my tyres ?.

Specialist dealers now sell these cult cars

Nissan Figaro Cars

Nissan Figaro for MOT Test

These Nissan Figaro Cars do not carry the Nissan Dealers name but display the type “Figaro”and are rapidly becoming the car to have, they have very clean looks and one can be seen at the beginning of TVs “The Andrew Marr Show”. They were designed by a Japanese designer Shoji Takahashi who later won a design award for his design. An excellent  owners club has now been launched with an extract from their website. 

“The only visible Nissan badge is in the shape of a fleur de lys on the bonnet and the car itself appears to date from the late 1950s or early 1960s – it’s all curves and chrome (the lighting units, the grille, the bumpers, hinges, handles) and is finished off with elliptical white wing mirrors (rather like the ones later used in the design of the ‘new’ Mini Cooper). The Nissan Figaro Cars is a convertible, with a sliding soft-top that folds neatly into the trunk so as not to spoil the natural lines of the vehicle. Even the hubcaps are distinctive – white and chrome and reminiscent of Polo mints”...http://www.figaroownersclub.co.uk/#/about-the-figaro/4529781952

 

 

 

Unipart Car Care Centre Winter preparation Keep your car Fit for the Winter

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Unipart Car Care Centre Winter preparation;Unipart winter products for winter preparation of your car

Winter will bring you plenty of problems for your car.Consequently, as well as long frustrating moments in the morning due to car troubles. Therefore, you should consider a Unipart Car Care Centre Winter preparation.Especially, well before the winter season.Thus, in order to avoid the troubles that could affect your car. The adverse road conditions during winter will cause delays.Hence, and could leave you stranded. Naturally, the cold weather during the winter will increase your risks.Especially, of winter related problems when traveling. A little preparation on your car before the winter. Will help you to take off a big headache from your mind during the season.

  • Pay attention to your antifreeze:Unipart Car Care Centre Winter preparation
  • The antifreeze plays an important role of your car’s protection against a cold climate. A normal car consists of a solvent that has 50 percent water and 50 percent antifreeze in it. These percentages can vary with different temperatures.The colder the climate the less the antifreeze should be diluted.So you should pay some extra attention to them before the winter. If you do not have the mechanical knowledge to check it, you can take your car to the local Unipart (UCCC) service center. Then the mechanics in the service center will check it for you using a special hydrometer and you won’t have to pay them any money as it is a free service. The mixture should be at its full level and if your car has any problems, such as a leaking radiator then the mechanics will repair it for you.

    Unipart Car Care Centre Winter preparation Inspect the tyres:

  • You can gain plenty of advantages by having good winter tyres on your car. We recommend Apollo winter tyres. A good set of tyres will assist you to travel on the winter roads without any issues. The condition of the roads change during winter and it is a must for you to have a good set of tyres to get rid of the snow and rain on road. The depth and the pressure of the tyre should be in optimum level. The freezing air particles contract during the winter season and that will reduce the pressure of your tyres. So, it is a must for you to check the condition of your tyres before winter. If possible buy winter tyres or pop into your local Unipart depot for a free tyre check.
  • Check your battery condition:
  • Your battery has the ability to perform many operations on your car. You will need to use some extra power from your car during the winter months because of the long dark nights and freezing weather and a good quality battery will assist you with that. Therefore you should make sure that your car battery is performing at a healthy condition before the winter. Once again your local Unipart Car Care Centre Winter preparation, Autocentre will be able to give a free battery health check. Batteries can also be bought online at www.batteriesontheweb.co.uk
  • Replace your wipers use the best quality Unipart wipers:
Unipart Car Care Centre Winter preparation

Unipart Car Care Centre Winter preparation;unipart car care centre sign

  • You will have to experience snowfalls throughout the winter season. Therefore the wipers on your car will have to do a tough job and it is recommended to replace them for a better wiping. There might be cracks in the rubber blades of your car wipers, which will cause unevenness during the winter season. Therefore you should replace them to get rid of the snow and ice during winter.

  • Unipart Car Care Centre Winter preparation Pay attention to your windscreen water fluid:

  • A lot of dirt and dust will be settled on your windscreen during the winter. Therefore you should pay some extra attention to clean them and the windshield will take care of that. However, you should maintain the washer fluid at the optimum level for the windshield to perform well. Also make sure that you have a strong solution of screen wash in your water bottle if you are not sure your local Unipart depot will check this for you free of charge. And finally always keep a can of de-icer in your car and do not go for the cheapest brand, as they are usually diluted down and you use more in the long run.

 

Your Car Servicing Costs-As your garage for an upfront price? Don’t Pay too Much | CarsGuide

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Your Car Servicing Costs

Your Car Servicing CostsGetting your car serviced is a little like taking a trip the dentist: expensive and unpleasant, but deep down you know it’s a necessary evil.

Your Car Servicing Costs

This article from CarsGuide explains that car servicing should not cost an “arm and a leg”. One of the cornerstones, when building my garage business. Thus, was to construct a fair pricing system for car servicing. As a result, we all know that there is many different shapes and sizes, when it comes to cars. Therefore, all car services cannot be the same price. Naturally, all services are not the same size.

I mean, some services are what we call the big service. This is where we check everything and change all the oils and filter. Smaller interval services, will just have the levels checked. A good garage will have a service menu fully priced for any make or model of cars. Some drivers think that because they own  Porsche. Hence, then they should pay more money for a service.

The only difference between a Porsche and say a VW Polo will be the price of the quantity of oil, the  filters and brake parts. Because of this we hear some horrific stories from our customers. One lady, who did actually own a Porsche. Thus, told me that she had just had the car serviced and paid £700 for the pleasure. Our service would have been at least half this price, and by using quality parts.

Needless to say  she now brings her Porsche in to us for servicing and repair work. Another myth that i hear is from customers that buy a new car. For this reason, the garage tells them that they must take the car back to the main dealer for servicing. Because, if they do not then their warranty will be void.

This is totally untrue. As long as the car is serviced at reputable garage, then the car warranty will not be void? This is written in to our law.

Eric Roberts  https://www.pellonautocentre.com/right-to-repair-law/

Source: Car Servicing Costs – Don’t Pay too Much | CarsGuide

Car Servicing Tips-Six Easy Steps for Avoiding Expensive Car Repairs by sticking to basics

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Post Updated 2nd Jan 2014

Car Servicing Tips; Car repairs need not be that expensive

Very often, a visit to your local car repairs shop can be even more stressful than a visit to your local dentist. Perhaps you wont suffer physical pain, but sometimes your car repairs bill can leave your wallet or purse feeling pretty empty and you with a bad taste in your mouth. The best way to try and avoid costly

Car Servicing Tips

Car Servicing Tips; Dale one of our MOT Testers checking the brake flued on a vehicle at our Halifax Garage

repairs is to take preventative maintenance measures and  Car Servicing Tips that will keep your car in the best condition possible.

  • The foremost thing that you should do is to follow the car manufacturers maintenance schedule that will be outlined in your owner’s manual. The best guidelines are always always the ones that are recommended by the manufacturer and if you fail to follow those guidelines, your warranty may be voided for future repairs. Although here in Europe you are allowed to have your car repairs and  servicing carried out by a reputable garage, that uses original equipment service parts and oils by law, without breaking your warranty agreement. A reputable garage would be one that operates under the MotorCodes schemes or an MOT testing station.
  • Always be sure to change fluids,such as your brake fluid, all the filters and spark plugs (if fitted) to what the car’s manufacturer recommends. It is also a good idea to upgrade your motor oil to a higher performance synthetic oil, which can help to prevent certain problems and can also improve your car’s overall performance. We keep in several types of oil for servicing as specifications are changing all the time but using synthetic oil is not a bad thing and will cover most modern engines.
  • Always be sure that your tyres are correctly inflated. This is especially important, because tyres with too little air, or too much, can result in excessive wear with bad handling and may cause a tyre to blow out. It is often recommended that your tyre pressures are checked during every other visit to the petrol station. While this may seems excessive, you won’t be sorry that you have kept your tyres correctly inflated and therefore safer. For reasons of both safety and the expense of new tyres, the extra effort is well worth it.
  • If you notice any unusual noises coming from your car,whilst driving along check with your owner’s manual for information. Quite often, noises are perfectly normal and there is no need for concern. Your owner’s manual information section will let you know whether or not a visit to the Auto-centre is necessary.

Use a reputable garage for your car repairs

  • If you find that you do have to take your vehicle in for some Car Repair Advice, be sure that you are dealing with a reputable local company. Check with the other local people and ask your family or friends for recommendations. Also look out for your local Unipart Car Care Centre (UCCC), as they have very high standards to qualify for membership, and a nationwide warranty system, for if problems occur see your Local Car Repair Garages.

Eric Roberts

Hi I would like to introduce myself. I have worked in the Garage and tyre and Battery business now for 40 years. I worked for a couple of national tyre companies before starting my first business. I now own a company here in the UK called Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre, and I am a keen blogger about anything to do with cars and their related products that will help my business.

 

car repairs

happy mechanics working on car repairs

Warming your Car-Don’t bother to warm up your car | Practical Motoring

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Warming your Car

Warming your Car

There’s a belief out there that, particularly on a cold day, you’ve got to warm up your car for several minutes before heading off. You don’t.

Warming your Car

I am not sure about which side of the fence I am on. Hence, about running your car engine on a cold morning. Of course there are different reasons why we should or should not run the car on a cold morning before using the car. Therefore, I think that I should start at the beginning. Thus, with security?

Hundreds if not thousands of cars are driven away by thieves, every winter. So it depends on the area where you live. I live in a very sheltered area. Naturally, it is nice and quite and I feel safe enough to run my engine for ten minutes on a freezing cold morning. As a result, be careful about where you do run your engine. As far as I am concerned, if you are in a safe area then it should not be a problem.

Another consideration, should be the environment. A car stood still with a cold engine, will emit dangerous gases. As a result of the engine ticking over and running fast enough to burn off the gases. Especially in your garage. Therefore this is a definite NO. Please do not run a cold car in an enclosed area such as your garage. A third reason is that continuously running a cold engine will wear your engine away quicker. Although this is not calculable, the experts say it does. So who am I to argue. Because I am a garage owner, then I am not an expert on engine performance at different temperatures.

So look at this article and make up your own mind about warming your car ?

Eric Roberts.

Source: Don’t bother to warm up your car | Practical Motoring

Natty’s Paste Wax-How to Safely Wax Your Car

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Natty’s Paste Wax

Natty's Paste Wax

Natty’s Paste Wax

I must admit. Hence, that I am the worlds worse car cleaner. Therefore I can count on my hand as to how many cars i have washed in my lifetime. It came to a surprise, when my wife Michelle was looking for other products to sell online. Of course our battery business was doing well. But we wanted to expand our product range.

A friend of mine, suggested selling the Poorboy’s range of car cleaning products. We contacted a Poorboy’s supplier here in the UK and everything else is history. In fact since that time. As expected, I started to learn things about car valeting. In fact, I did not realise the amount of car owners. Who were dedicated to cleaning their prize product cars. A new word became the norm? car detailing.

In fact for drivers with cars over three years old, then this advice is important. Accordingly, your car will new a new protective layer of wax.Thus to keep your cars paintwork protected. When waxing your car you are adding years of life to the paintwork. Of course, your car will be left with an enviable shine. As expected, the new wax layer that you have just applied. Will protect the car’s paint from all sorts of things. Including, stone chips, small rocks the local kids and last but not least, the weather.

This article explains to the motorist, how to wax your car to a great shine. This is also where I can add the Poorboy’s wax products. Hence, there are three types listed below.

Natty’s Paste Wax

Natty’s Paste Wax-This is a product produced from a very unique Carnauba wax. Thus, this product lasts a long time and is very easy to use. Therefore, Natty’s Paste Wax gives a clear shine to ant colour of car.of course,the wax also gives protection from UV and the rest of the environment.

Natty’s Blue- This is a very similar product to Natty’s paste Wax. Of course, the Blue is made from a different formula. Thus, is made for darker coloured cars. Naturally, this adds a much deeper shine to darker coloured cars.  Just like before, Natty’s Blue can be applied in sun or shade and is still the easiest paste wax to apply and remove

Poorboy’s World Natty’s Red- is a special formulation to enhance any colour finish with depth, gloss, wetness, and slickness not seen in any other wax. It still has the Natty’s easy on and easy off characteristics, as well as the Poorboy’s incredible and irresistible scent of Wild Strawberry. Use with caution when applying to light coloured paint.

Eric Roberts

 

Source: How to Safely Wax Your Car

AdBlue Diesel technology-What is AdBlue? – Car Keys

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AdBlue Diesel technology

AdBlue Diesel technology

We explain the importance of AdBlue and how to refill a car with it.

AdBlue Diesel technology

I must admit, that I am missing out on the new car technologies.Thus by doing all my work in my office at home and not at the garage. For this reason, many times I see something that I have never heard of, to do with the motor industry. Naturally, I turn to my trusty service manager, Ryan Linton. Ryan is a very clever guy. Consequently, he can fill me in with anything new that comes my way. Including AdBlue for diesel cars.

Ryan told me that one of our customers. So had bought a new Skoda 2-Litre diesel. Equipped with the Adblue system and tank. The guy was in his late fifties and a steady driver. Of course, he always kept his car in an immaculate condition and was a steady driver. For that reason, he was surprised when the warning light came on after only 4000 miles of steady driving.

After filling the AdBlue tank. He expected the warning light to go out. Guess what? it didn’t.As expect he took the car back to the main dealer,in this case Skoda. The car was off the road for over 4 weeks? he is now unsure about the technology. Or what may happen should he be a long way from home. A vote of no confidence in this case.

Ryan explained that this new system was also appearing on a few diesel car service schedules. If you service your own diesel car then it is something to watch out for?

Eric Roberts

Source: What is AdBlue? – Car Keys